July 2011

For years it
has been well regarded that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes but this is a new
market and the rules are shifting. There is probably not a time in the
conceivable future that a kitchen or bathroom remodel is not going to return
most of what is invested in it, nor will there be a similar time when that
isn’t the case that an outdated kitchen or bath will put off a potential
buyer.

1. Get them to the door: without curb
appeal there is little chance that the buyer will ever get out of their
car. Scruffy, wild and unkempt
landscapes are a trigger that the house may also be in disrepair. Buyers want houses that are loved, cared for
and maintained. This starts with the
daisies at the door, the length of the grass and the tasteful

Vancouver
has always represented some of the best of business and commercial opportunity.
The well-educated work force with its strong and stable economy has positioned
Vancouver to stay a thriving home for commerce and industry.

Since there
are sectors that are consistently well performing and in fact hiring, there are
more options for commercial space.
Professional services, technology and financial sectors are steady and
strong in Vancouver and continue to be both hiring and leasing space, in some
cases expanding.

While in
other areas such as Toronto and Calgary the new commercial space development is
booming, Vancouver has reduced its occupancy recently from nearly 8% to just
below 7%. This has allowed the office
leasing enterprise to stay

If the
do-it-yourself-reality show is any indication, there isn’t anything simpler
than to buy a dilapidated home, invest some elbow grease and a few spare
thousand and poof instant profit. The
show uses editing to make the whole process look painless and rapid. However, life rarely imitates this form of
art.

There are
sizable risks in the flipping market.
Even when purchasing property in Vancouver, which seems to
be moving ahead of the pack and has a stable economy; there are risks.

1. Nothing costs as much as inexperience: this
is a challenge as many flippers are new to the game. In some cases they have no construction or
development experience, know little about the market and are looking for a
quick profit turnaround. This

Vancouver
has been a steady and consistent economy without much drama in the housing
market and is part of the reason that Canada is leading the housing recovery
worldwide according to Scotia Capital’s Global Housing Recovery Report[1]. But even in this stable market the housing
industry continues to increase in complexity.
There are subtle factors, including market forces that are challenging
to keep current on even in the information and knowledge age. The Real Estate Professional, in this case
the Real Estate Broker offers some strong benefit to you as you both consider
selling your home or purchase a new home.

There are
many reasons to hire an industry professional.
Most people would not attempt to negotiate tax laws without an

Condos are
sold on the specific attraction of the three major demographics in that
market:

Young
professionals looking for short commutes

Empty
nesters looking to downsize

Investors
looking for rental property as an investment

Many real
estate experts caution that in none of these cases is the condo a good
investment, and many would go further to say that there is no time that a condo
would fare better than a single home investment.

The problems
in condo investment come from the very “no maintenance” sales pitch that may
have lured a buyer in the first place.
The ambitious worker, who has little time for lawn care may see the
location, often close to the working districts and city centers with shops and
restaurants as